US20150012859A1 - Method for disabling a locking screen by using object and electronic device using the method - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of disabling a locking screen of an electronic device is provided. The method includes selecting at least two objects among at least three objects each having a unique color, determining whether at least one of a color order and a rotation direction of the selected at least two objects matches a pre-set color order and a pre-set rotation direction, and disabling a locking screen upon determining the match with at least one of the pre-set color order and the pre-set rotation direction.

Description

PRIORITY
• This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to a Korean Patent Application filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Jul. 5, 2013 and assigned Serial No. 10-2013-0079214, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The present invention generally relates to an electronic device for disabling locking using an object and a method thereof.
• 2. Description of the Related Art
• Since an electronic device can store important data such as a large-capacity address book, business data, personal banking information, etc., it is important to lock the screen of the electronic device. Locking is enabled in the electronic device by a user to ensure security by using a password or pattern matching.
• However, there is a problem in that security is weakened when locking is enabled using the conventional pattern matching. For example, a pattern can be easily recognized by an unauthorized person by just glancing at the screen while the user disables the locking of the electronic device, which is a violation of individual privacy.
• Accordingly, there is an urgent need for a method for disabling locking to improve security while rapidly disabling the locking enabled in an electronic device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• An aspect of the present invention is to solve at least the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for allowing a user to experience a new aesthetic sense different from that of the conventional locking screen by using a rotatable object to disable locking.
• Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method capable of improving user's security by preventing a pattern from being easily revealed, in such a manner that locking is disabled only when a color, a rotation direction, a rotation number, etc., of an object are matched.
• In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a method of operating an electronic device is provided. The method includes selecting at least two objects among at least three objects each having a unique color, determining whether at least any one of a color order and a rotation direction of the selected at least two objects matches a pre-set color order and a pre-set rotation direction, and disabling a locking screen upon determining a match exists with at least one of the pre-set color order and the pre-set rotation direction.
• In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of operating an electronic device is provided. The method includes displaying one object having a unique color in each of at least two pre-set areas, determining whether at least one of a color order of at least one area selected among the pre-set areas, a rotation direction of the object, and a rotation count of the object matches a pre-set color order, a pre-set rotation direction, and a pre-set rotation count, and disabling a locking screen upon determining a match exists with at least one of the pre-set color order, the pre-set rotation direction, and the pre-set rotation count.
• In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a touch screen for selecting at least two objects among at least three objects each having a unique color, and a processor for determining whether at least any one of a color order and a rotation direction of the selected at least two objects matches a pre-set color order and a pre-set rotation direction, and for disabling a locking screen upon determining a match exists with at least one of the pre-set color order and the pre-set rotation direction.
• In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a touch screen for displaying one object having a unique color in each of at least two pre-set areas, and a processor module for determining whether at least one of a color order of at least one area selected among the pre-set areas, a rotation direction of the object, and a rotation count of the object matches a pre-set color order, a pre-set rotation direction, and a pre-set rotation count, and for disabling a locking screen upon determining a match exists with at least one of the pre-set color order, the pre-set rotation direction, and the pre-set rotation count.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certain embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
• FIG. 1A,FIG. 1B,FIG. 1C andFIG. 1D illustrate a first lock disable function of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 2A,FIG. 2B,FIG. 2C andFIG. 2D illustrate a second lock disable function of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 3A,FIG. 3B,FIG. 3C andFIG. 3D illustrate a third lock disable function of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 4A,FIG. 4B,FIG. 4C andFIG. 4D illustrate a fourth lock disable function of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 5A,FIG. 5B,FIG. 5C andFIG. 5D illustrate a fifth lock disable function of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operational order of an electronic device for disabling an enabled locking function according to the present invention;
• FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operational order of an electronic device for disabling an enabled locking function according to the present invention;
• FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of an electronic device for disabling a locking function by using an object according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method, of an electronic device for disabling a locking function by using an object according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
• FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
• Embodiments of the present invention will be described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail. Also, the terms used herein are defined according to the functions of the present invention. Thus, the terms may vary depending on user's or operator's intention and usage. That is, the terms used herein must be understood based on the descriptions made herein. Further, like reference numerals denote parts performing similar functions and actions throughout the drawings.
• FIG. 1A,FIG. 1B,FIG. 1C andFIG. 1D illustrate a first lock disable function of an electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated inFIG. 1A, the electronic device receives a touch input at any point of a touch screen of the electronic device to disable locking of a screen in which a first locking function is enabled. Herein, the first locking function may be a locking function which does not require security. More specifically, the first locking function may be a locking function which is enabled in an idle screen so that the electronic device can access a background from the idle screen. For example, if the first locking function is enabled in the electronic device, a user can disable the first locking function which is enabled in the electronic device, by pushing any icon displayed in the idle screen of the electronic device in a pre-set direction.
• Thereafter, as illustrated inFIG. 1B, the electronic device displays a pre-set object in an area in which the touch input is made. Herein, the object may be rotatable in a selected direction. For example, when a touch input is made in any area and thereafter an operation of flicking in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction is detected, the object rotates in the detected direction.
• Although the object has a pinwheel shape in the present embodiment, various rotatable objects can be used irrespective of shapes. In addition, although it is described in the present embodiment that the electronic device displays a pre-set object when a touch input is made in any area, the electronic device can also display an initially pre-set object even if there is no touch input.
• Thereafter, as illustrated inFIG. 1C andFIG. 1D, if the electronic device selects a pre-set object displayed in any area and the selected object rotates in a pre-set direction a pre-set number of times, the electronic device disables the enabled locking. More specifically, if the electronic device selects an object displayed in the touch screen of the electronic device and thereafter detects that the object rotates a pre-set number of times by receiving an input of a flick operation for rotating the selected object in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction, the electronic device disables the locking which is enabled in the screen.
• For example, it is assumed that locking is disabled in the electronic device if an object which is pre-set in the electronic device rotates three times. In the aforementioned assumption, the electronic device can disable the locking enabled in the screen if the electronic device detects an operation of flicking an object displayed in a touch screen of the electronic device in a clockwise direction and thereafter if it is determined that a pre-set number, i.e., 3 times, is satisfied.
• FIG. 2A,FIG. 2B,FIG. 2C andFIG. 2D illustrate a first lock disable function of an electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated inFIG. 2A, the electronic device receives a touch input at any point of a touch screen of the electronic device to disable locking of a screen in which a first locking function is enabled. As described above, although it is described that the electronic device displays a pre-set object when a touch input is made in any area, the electronic device can also display an initially pre-set object even if there is no touch input.
• Thereafter, as illustrated inFIG. 2B, the electronic device displays a pre-set object in an area in which the touch input is made. Although the object has a pinwheel shape herein, various rotatable objects may be used irrespective of shapes.
• Thereafter, as illustrated inFIG. 2C, the electronic device determines whether a sound recognition unit201 included in the electronic device detects a sound of which a volume is greater than or equal to a pre-set decibel. More specifically, the electronic device determines whether a sound detected from a microphone201 included in the electronic device201 has a volume greater than or equal to the pre-set decibel. For example, a user can blow into the microphone to simulate a wind blowing around the microphone201 of the electronic device, so that the electronic device can detect a sound of which a volume is greater than or equal to the pre-set decibel, and simulates the wind blowing on the object to rotate the object. In the same sense, the electronic device automatically rotates the object in a pre-set direction upon detecting a wind greater than or equal to the pre-set decibel from the user without having to touch the object displayed in the electronic device in order to disable the first locking function.
• Thereafter, as illustrated inFIG. 2D, if the electronic device detects a sound of which a volume is greater than or equal to a decibel pre-set in the microphone201 included in the electronic device, the electronic device disables locking of a screen which is locked, by rotating the object displayed in the touch screen of the electronic device in a pre-set direction. For example, it is assumed that, upon detecting a sound of which a volume is greater than or equal to a decibel pre-set in the electronic device, a direction of rotating the object displayed in the touch screen of the electronic device is a clockwise direction. In the aforementioned assumption, if the electronic device detects the sound of which a volume is greater than or equal to a decibel which is pre-set in the microphone201 included in the electronic device, the electronic device can disable the first locking function by automatically rotating the object displayed in the touch screen of the electronic device in the pre-set clockwise direction.
• Conversely, if the first locking function is enabled in the conventional electronic device, the user of the electronic device must manually disable a screen which is locked, by inputting a specific button or the like selected by the user. That is, in order to disable a locking screen which is pre-set in the conventional electronic device, the user has to directly select a specific button displayed in the touch screen of the electronic device.
• However, the electronic device according to the present invention has an advantage in that a locking screen which is locked can be disabled by automatically rotating an object displayed in the electronic device in a pre-set direction upon detecting a sound of which a volume is greater than or equal to a decibel which is pre-set from a user.
• FIG. 3A,FIG. 3B,FIG. 3C andFIG. 3D illustrate a second lock disable function of an electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated inFIG. 3A, the electronic device receives a touch input at any point of a touch screen of the electronic device to disable locking of a screen in which a locking function is enabled. Herein, the locking function may be a locking function which requires security. More particularly, the second locking function may be a locking function which is enabled in an idle screen to access a background from the idle screen when a pre-set password, a pre-set pattern, etc., are input to the electronic device. In addition, each object displayed in the touch screen of the electronic device may have a unique color, and may be rotatable by a flick operation of a user. More specifically, the object of the present invention may have a unique color that can be distinguished from each other, and may be rotatable in a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction. In addition, the electronic device may randomly display an arrangement order of the object when at least three objects are displayed.
• Thereafter, at least two objects selected from the at least three displayed objects are input to the electronic device. More specifically, the electronic device repeats at least one time an operation of selecting an object having a 2^ndcolor when a drag trace starts in a state where an object having a 1^stcolor is selected from the at least three objects. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 3A toFIG. 3D, assume that the second locking function enabled in the electronic device is disabled when objects having a 1^stcolor to a 3^rdcolor are continuously selected. In the aforementioned assumption, the electronic device disables the screen locking inFIG. 3D, if the object having the 2^ndcolor is selected inFIG. 3B when a drag trace starts in a state where the first object having the 1^stcolor is selected inFIG. 3A and thereafter the object having the 3^rdcolor is selected inFIG. 3C by a continuous drag trace operation.
• If the electronic device determines that the drag trace is not achieved according to a pre-set object color order, the electronic device can randomly rearrange at least three objects. In the aforementioned assumption, if the objects are not selected in the order of the object having the 1^stcolor to the object having the 3^rdcolor, the electronic device randomly rearranges again the object displayed first in the touch screen of the electronic device. Therefore, since the electronic device always randomly rearranges a position of a displayed object, security can be advantageously increased.
• FIG. 4A,FIG. 4B,FIG. 4C andFIG. 4D illustrate a first lock disable function of an electronic device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The electronic device displays one pre-set object in a pre-set area to receive an input for disabling the enabled second locking function. Herein, the object is rotatable, and may have a unique color in each of at least two pre-set areas. More specifically, the object may have at least two pre-set areas, and a color that can be distinguished from one area to another may be displayed in each pre-set area. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 4A toFIG. 4C, one object may have 5 pre-set areas, and 1^stto 5^thcolors that can be distinguished from one another are displayed in the respective areas.
• Thereafter, at least one area is selected from at least two pre-set areas displayed in the touch screen of the electronic device. More specifically, the electronic device detects an operation of flicking in a clockwise direction or a counter-clockwise direction in a state where a touch input is made on at least one area among the at least two pre-set areas displayed in the touch screen of the electronic device.
• For example, as illustrated inFIG. 4A andFIG. 4D, assume that the electronic device can disable a second locking function upon detecting a rotation in any direction when an area indicated with a 3^rdcolor is selected in the electronic device. In the aforementioned assumption, the electronic device disables the enabled second locking function if the electronic device detects an operation of flicking in any direction in a state where the area indicated with the 3^rdcolor is selected in the electronic device among five areas included in the object. In the same sense, as illustrated inFIG. 4B toFIG. 4D, the electronic device disables the enabled second locking function if the electronic device detects an operation of flicking in any direction in a state where areas indicated with a 4^thcolor and a 5^thcolor are selected in the electronic device.
• Although only a color displayed in a pre-set area of an object is considered in the aforementioned embodiment as a means for disabling the second locking function enabled in the electronic device, the electronic device may consider all of “a color and a rotation direction” and “a color, a rotation direction, and a rotation count”.
• If “the color and the rotation direction” of the object are considered as the means for disabling the second locking function enabled in the electronic device, the electronic device determines whether to disable the second locking function by considering a rotation direction in which the object rotates as well as a color displayed in a selected area among areas of the object. For example, assume that the electronic device can disable the second locking function if the electronic device detects a rotation in a clockwise direction upon selecting an area indicated with a 3^rdcolor. In the aforementioned assumption, the electronic device disables the second locking function if the electronic device detects an operation of flicking in a clockwise direction in a state where the area indicated with the 3^rdcolor is selected in the electronic device among five areas included in the object.
• If “the color, the rotation direction, and the rotation count” of the object are considered as the means for disabling the second locking function enabled in the electronic device, the electronic device determines whether to disable the second locking function by considering a rotation count by which the object rotates as well as a color displayed in a selected area among areas of the object and a rotation direction in which the object rotates. For example, assume that the electronic device can disable the second locking function if the electronic device detects that a rotation is achieved four times in a counter-clockwise direction upon selecting an area indicated with a 4^thcolor. In the aforementioned assumption, the electronic device disables the enabled second locking function if the electronic device detects an operation of flicking in a counter-clockwise direction four times in a state where the area indicated with the 4^thcolor is selected in the electronic device among five areas included in the object.
• FIG. 5A,FIG. 5B,FIG. 5C andFIG. 5D illustrate a second lock disable function of an electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The electronic device can display at least three pre-set objects in a pre-set area to receive an input for disabling the enabled second locking function. Thereafter, among at least three objects each having a unique color, at least two objects may be selected in the electronic device. More specifically, among at least three objects having 1^stto 3^rdcolors, objects having the same color may not be selected or may be selected at least one time in any one of a clockwise direction and a counter-clockwise direction, and thereafter the electronic device may detect that the selected at least two objects rotate in selected rotation directions, respectively.
• For example, as illustrated inFIG. 5A toFIG. 5D, assume that the electronic device can disable the second locking function if the electronic device detects a rotation in any direction when two objects having the 1^stcolor are selected, no object having the 2^ndcolor is selected, one object having the 3^rdcolor is selected, and three objects having the 4^thcolor are selected. In addition, also assume that the electronic device displays three objects each having the 1^stto 4^thcolors in the touch screen of the electronic device.
• In the aforementioned assumption, the electronic device detects a rotation in any direction after a touch input is made on first two objects having the 1^stcolor. Thereafter, if the electronic device detects a rotation in any direction when a touch input is made on one object having the 3^rdcolor and three objects having the 4^thcolor, the electronic device disables the enabled second locking function.
• Although only a color and count of an object are considered in the aforementioned embodiment as a means for disabling the second locking function enabled in the electronic device, the electronic device may consider all of “the color, the rotation count, and the rotation direction”.
• If “the color, the rotation count, and the rotation direction” of the object are considered as the means for disabling the second locking function enabled in the electronic device, the electronic device can determine whether to disable the second locking function by considering a rotation direction in which the object rotates as well as the color of the object and the number of objects having the same color.
• For example, assume that the electronic device can disable the second locking function when, upon selecting two objects having the 1^stcolor, the electronic device detects that a first object rotates in a counter-clockwise direction and a second object rotates in a clockwise direction, upon selecting one object having the 3^rdcolor without selecting the object having the 2^ndcolor, detects that the object rotates in the clockwise direction, and upon selecting three objects having the 4^thcolor, detects that a first object rotates in the clockwise direction and the remaining two objects rotate in the counter-clockwise direction.
• In the aforementioned assumption, the electronic device disables the second locking function when, upon selecting two objects having the 1^stcolor, the electronic device detects that a first object rotates in a counter-clockwise direction and a second object rotates in a clockwise direction, upon selecting one object having the 3^rdcolor without selecting the object having the 2^ndcolor, detects that the object rotates in the clockwise direction, and upon selecting three objects having the 4^thcolor, detects that a first object rotates in the clockwise direction and the remaining two objects rotate in the counter-clockwise direction.
• FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operational order of an electronic device for disabling an enabled second locking function according to the present invention. As illustrated inFIG. 6, the electronic device always displays at least three objects in a random arrangement order always instep601. That is, the electronic device displays at least three objects in a touch screen of the electronic device in order to disable a locking screen in which the second locking function is enabled. Herein, the second locking function may be a locking function which requires security. More particularly, the second locking function may be a locking function which is enabled in an idle screen to access a background from the idle screen when a pre-set password, a pre-set pattern, etc., are input to the electronic device. In addition, each object displayed in the touch screen of the electronic device may have a unique color, and may be rotatable by a flick operation of a user. More specifically, each object may have a unique color that can be distinguished from each other, and may be rotatable in a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction. In addition, the electronic device may randomly display an arrangement order of the object when at least three objects are displayed.
• Thereafter, at least two objects selected from the at least three objects each having a unique color are input to the electronic device instep602. For example, the electronic device repeats at least one time an operation of selecting an object having a 2^ndcolor when a drag trace starts in a state where an object having a 1^stcolor is selected from the at least three objects. For another example, the electronic device detects an operation of flicking in a clockwise direction or a counter-clockwise direction in a state where a touch input is made on at least one area among the at least two pre-set areas displayed in the touch screen of the electronic device. For another example, among at least three objects having 1^stto 3^rdcolors, objects having the same color may not be selected or may be selected at least one time in any one of a clockwise direction and a counter-clockwise direction, and thereafter the electronic device detects that the selected at least two objects rotate in selected rotation directions, respectively.
• Thereafter, the electronic device determines whether any one of a color order and a rotation direction of the selected at least two objects matches a pre-set color order and a pre-set rotation direction instep603. For example, assume that the electronic device can disable the second locking function if the electronic device detects a rotation in any direction when two objects having the 1^stcolor are selected, no object having the 2^ndcolor is selected, one object having the 3^rdcolor is selected, and three objects having the 4^thcolor are selected. In addition, also assume that the electronic device displays three objects each having the 1^stto 4^thcolors in the touch screen of the electronic device. In the aforementioned assumption, the electronic device detects whether a rotation is achieved in any direction after a touch input is made on first two objects having the 1^stcolor. Thereafter, the electronic device detects whether a rotation is achieved in any direction when a touch input is made on one object having the 3^rdcolor and three objects having the 4^thcolor.
• If it is determined instep603 that the electronic device determines that any one of the color order and the rotation direction of the selected at least two objects matches the pre-set color order and the pre-set rotation direction, the electronic device disables the enabled locking screen instep604.
• However, if it is determined instep603 that the electronic device determines that any one of the color order and the rotation direction of the selected at least two objects does not match the pre-set color order and the pre-set rotation direction, the electronic device randomly rearranges at least three objects instep605, and repeatsstep602.
• FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operational order of an electronic device for disabling an enabled first locking function according to the present invention. As illustrated inFIG. 7, the electronic device displays one object having a unique color in each of at least two pre-set areas instep701. Herein, the object is rotatable, and has a unique color in each of at least two pre-set areas. More specifically, the object has at least two pre-set areas, and a color that can be distinguished from one area to another is displayed in each pre-set area. For example, one object may have 5 pre-set areas, and 1^stto 5^thcolors that can be distinguished from one another are displayed in the respective areas.
• Thereafter, the electronic device detects at least one time that the displayed object rotates by at least one rotation count in any one of a clockwise direction and a counter-clockwise direction in a state where a touch input is made on any one of pre-set areas instep702. For example, assume that the electronic device can disable the second locking function if the electronic device detects that a rotation is achieved four times in the counter-clockwise direction upon selecting an area indicated with a 4^thcolor. In the aforementioned assumption, the electronic device determines whether an operation of flicking four times in the counter-clockwise direction is detected in a state where the area indicated with the 4^thcolor is selected among five areas included in the object.
• Thereafter, the electronic device determines whether any one of a color order of at least one area selected among pre-set areas, a rotation direction of an object, and a rotation count of the object matches a pre-set color order, a pre-set rotation direction, and a pre-set rotation count instep703. If it is determined instep703 that the electronic device detects at least one time that the displayed object rotates by at least one rotation count in any one of the clockwise direction and the counter-clockwise direction in a state where the touch input is made on any one of pre-set areas, the electronic device disables the enabled locking screen instep704.
• Otherwise, if it is determined instep703 that the electronic device does not detect at least one time that the displayed object rotates by at least one rotation count in any one of the clockwise direction and the counter-clockwise direction in a state where the touch input is made on any one of pre-set areas, the electronic device randomly rearranges a color arrangement order of at least two pre-set areas constituting the object instep705, and repeatsstep702.
• FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of an electronic device for disabling a second locking function by using an object according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated inFIG. 8, among at least three objects each having a unique color, at least two objects may be selected in the electronic device instep801. For example, the electronic device repeats at least one time an operation of selecting an object having a 2^ndcolor when a drag trace starts in a state where an object having a 1^stcolor is selected from the at least three objects. For another example, the electronic device detects an operation of flicking in a clockwise direction or a counter-clockwise direction in a state where a touch input is made on at least one area among the at least two pre-set areas displayed in the touch screen of the electronic device. For another example, among at least three objects having 1^stto 3^rdcolors, objects having the same color may not be selected or may be selected at least one time in any one of a clockwise direction and a counter-clockwise direction, and thereafter the electronic device detects that the selected at least two objects rotate in selected rotation directions, respectively.
• Thereafter, the electronic device determines whether any one of a color order and a rotation direction of the selected at least two objects matches a pre-set color order and a pre-set rotation direction instep802. For example, assume that the electronic device can disable the second locking function if the electronic device detects a rotation in any direction when two objects having the 1^stcolor are selected, no object having the 2^ndcolor is selected, one object having the 3^rdcolor is selected, and three objects having the 4^thcolor are selected. In addition, also assume that the electronic device displays three objects each having the 1^stto 4^thcolors in the touch screen of the electronic device. In the aforementioned assumption, the electronic device detects whether a rotation is achieved in any direction after a touch input is made on first two objects having the 1^stcolor. Thereafter, the electronic device detects whether a rotation is achieved in any direction when a touch input is made on one object having the 3^rdcolor and three objects having the 4^thcolor.
• Thereafter, the electronic device disables the locking screen upon determining that any one of the pre-set color order and the pre-set rotation direction matches in step803.
• FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of an electronic device for disabling a first locking function by using an object according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated inFIG. 9, the electronic device displays one object having a unique color in each of at least two pre-set areas instep901. Herein, the object is rotatable, and has a unique color in each of at least two pre-set areas. More specifically, the object has at least two pre-set areas, and a color that can be distinguished from one area to another is displayed in each pre-set area. For example, one object may have 5 pre-set areas, and 1^stto 5^thcolors that can be distinguished from one another may be displayed in the respective areas.
• Thereafter, the electronic device determines whether at least one of a color order of at least one area selected from pre-set areas, a rotation direction of an object, a rotation count of the object matches with a pre-set color order, a pre-set rotation direction, and a pre-set rotation count instep902. For example, assume that, if the electronic device detects that a rotation is achieved four times in a counter-clockwise direction upon selecting an area indicated with a 4^thcolor, the electronic device disables the second locking function. In the aforementioned assumption, the electronic device determines whether an operation of flicking is detected in a counter-clockwise direction four times in a state where an area indicated with the 4^thcolor is selected in the electronic device.
• Thereafter, the electronic device disables locking upon determining that at least one of the pre-set color order, the pre-set rotation direction, and the pre-set rotation count are matched instep903. Since the object's color, rotation direction, rotation count, etc., must be matched in order to disable locking in the electronic device of the present invention, a pattern is not easily revealed and thus there is an advantage in that user's security can be improved.
• FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Such anelectronic device1000 may be a portable electronic device, and may be a device such as a portable terminal, a mobile phone, a mobile pad, a media player, a tablet computer, a handheld computer, or a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA). In addition, the electronic device may be any portable electronic device including a device which combines two or more functions among these devices.
• Theelectronic device1000 includes amemory1010, a processor module1020, a firstwireless communication subsystem1030, a secondwireless communication subsystem1031, anexternal port1060, anaudio subsystem1050, aspeaker1051, amicrophone1052, an Input Output (IO)system1070, atouch screen1080, and an extra input orcontrol device1090. Thememory1010 and theexternal port1060 may be plural in number.
• The processor module1020 may include amemory interface1021, one ormore processors1022, and aperipheral interface1023. Occasionally, the entire processor module1020 may be referred to as a processor. In the present invention, the processor module1020 determines whether at least one of a color order and a rotation direction of selected at least two objects matches a pre-set color order and a pre-set rotation direction, and if matching with any one of the pre-set color order and the pre-set rotation direction is determined, disables a locking screen. In addition, theprocessor module1022 detects whether the selected at least two objects rotate in a rotation direction at a time when each of the objects is selected. In addition, theprocessor module1022 detects whether each of the selected at least two objects rotates in the selected rotation direction, and randomly rearranges the at least three objects if mismatching with the pre-set color order and the pre-set rotation direction is determined. In addition, the processor module1020 determines whether at least one of a color order of at least one area selected among the pre-set areas, a rotation direction of the object, and a rotation count of the object matches a pre-set color order, a pre-set rotation direction, and a pre-set rotation count, and releases a locking screen if matching with at least one of the pre-set color order, the pre-set rotation direction, and the pre-set rotation count is determined. In addition, the processor module1202 detects whether the displayed object rotates in the pre-set rotation direction upon detecting a sound of which a volume is greater than or equal to a pre-set decibel. In addition, the processor module1202 detects at least one time that the displayed object rotates by at least one rotation count in any one of a clockwise direction and a counter-clockwise direction in a state where a touch input is made on any one of the pre-set areas. In addition, the processor module1202 randomly rearranges a color arrangement order of at least two pre-set areas constituting the object if mismatching with the at least one of the pre-set color order and the pre-set rotation direction is determined.
• Theprocessor1022 performs various functions for theelectronic device1000 by executing a variety of software programs, and processes and controls voice communication and data communication. In addition to such a typical function, theprocessor1022 executes a specific software module (i.e., an instruction set) stored in thememory1010 and thus performs various specific functions corresponding to the module. That is, theprocessor1022 performs the method of the embodiment of the present invention by synchronizing with software modules stored in thememory1010.
• Theprocessor1022 may include one or more data processors, an image processor, or a COder/DECoder (CODEC). The data processor, the image processor, or the CODEC can be configured separately. In addition, these elements can be configured as several processors each of which performs a different function. Theperipheral interface1023 connects various peripheral devices of theelectronic device1000 to theprocessor1022 and the memory1010 (via the memory interface).
• Theexternal port1060 is used to directly connect a portable electronic device (not shown) to another electronic device, or indirectly connects it to another electronic device through a network (e.g., Internet, intranet, wireless Local Area Network (LAN), etc.). For example, although not limited thereto, theexternal port1060 refers to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port or a FIREWIRE port.
• Amotion sensor1091 and anoptical sensor1092 may be connected to theperipheral device interface1023 to enable several functions. For example, themotion sensor1091 and theoptical sensor1092 may be connected to theperipheral device interface1023 to detect a motion of the electronic device or to detect an external light beam. In addition, other sensors such as a positioning system, a temperature sensor, a bio sensor, etc., may be connected to theperipheral device interface1023 to perform related functions.
• Acamera subsystem1093 can perform a camera function such as capturing, video clip recoding, etc.
• Theoptical sensor1092 can use a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) device or a Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) device.
• One or morewireless communication subsystems1030 and1031 are used to perform a communication function. Thewireless communication subsystems1030 and1031 may include a radio frequency receiver and transceiver and/or an optical (e.g., infrared ray) receiver and transceiver. Thefirst communication subsystem1030 and thesecond communication subsystem1031 may be identified according to a communication network through which theelectronic device1000 communicates. For example, the communication network is not limited thereto, and the subsystem may include a communication subsystem designed to operate through a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) network, an Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE) network, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, a W-Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA) network, a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) network, a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) network, a WiMax network, and/or a Bluetooth network. The firstwireless communication subsystem1030 and the secondwireless communication subsystem1031 may be combined into one wireless communication subsystem.
• Theaudio subsystem1050 is coupled to thespeaker1051 and themicrophone1052, and performs an input and output of an audio stream such as voice recognition, voice recording, digital recording, telephony, etc. That is, theaudio subsystem1050 communicates with the user via thespeaker1051 and themicrophone1052. Theaudio subsystem1050 receives a data stream via theperipheral interface1023 of the processor unit1020, and converts the received data stream into an electric stream. A converted electric signal is delivered to thespeaker1051. Thespeaker1051 converts the electric stream into an audible sound wave, and outputs the electric stream. Themicrophone1052 converts the sound wave delivered from a user or other different sound sources into an electronic stream. Theaudio subsystem1050 receives the converted electronic stream from themicrophone1052. Theaudio subsystem1050 converts the received electric stream into an audio data stream, and transmits the converted audio data stream to theperipheral interface1023. Theaudio subsystem1050 may include an attachable and detachable ear phone, headphone, or head set.
• The I/O subsystem1070 includes atouch screen controller1071 and/or anextra input controller1072. Thetouch screen controller1071 is coupled to thetouch screen1080. Although not limited thereto, thetouch screen1080 and thetouch screen controller1071 can use not only capacitance, resistance, infrared and surface sound wave techniques for determining one or more contact points but also any multi-touch sense technique including other proximity sensor arrays or other elements to detect a contact, a movement, or stopping thereof. Theextra input controller1072 may be coupled to extra input/control devices1090. The extra input/control devices1090 may be one or more buttons, a rocker, a switch, a thumb-wheel, a dial, a stick, and/or a pointer device such as a stylus.
• Thetouch screen1080 provides an input/output interface between theelectronic device1000 and the user. That is, thetouch screen1080 delivers a touch input of the user to theelectronic device1000. In addition, thetouch screen1080 is a medium which shows to the user an output from theelectronic device1000. That is, thetouch screen1080 shows a visual output to the user. Such a visual output is represented in the form of a text, a graphic, a video, and a combination thereof.
• A variety of displays can be used as thetouch screen1080. For example, although not limited thereto, thetouch screen1080 may include a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a Light Emitting Diode (LED), a Light Emitting Polymer Display (LPD), an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED), an Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode (AMOLED), or a Flexible LED (FLED). In the present invention, thetouch screen1080 is used to select at least two objects among at least three objects each having a unique color. In addition, thetouch screen1080 always randomly displays an arrangement order of the at least three objects, and is used to select at least two objects among the at least three objects to rotate in any one of a clockwise direction and a counter-clockwise direction. In addition, thetouch screen1080 repeats at least one time an operation of selecting an object having a 2^ndcolor by starting a drag trace in a state where an object having a 1^stcolor is selected among the at least three objects. In addition, thetouch screen1080 displays at least three objects consisting of a 1^stcolor to a 3^rdcolor, and may not select the same-colored object among the displayed objects or select one time the object in any one of a clockwise direction and a counter-clockwise direction. In addition, thetouch screen1080 may display one object having a unique color in each of at least two pre-set areas, and always randomly displays a color arrangement order in each of the at least two pre-set areas.
• Thememory1010 may be coupled to thememory interface1021. Thememory1010 may include a fast random access memory such as one or more magnetic disc storage devices and/or a non-volatile memory, one or more optical storage devices, and/or a flash memory (e.g., NAND, NOR).
• Thememory1010 stores a software component. The software component may include an Operating System (OS)module1011, acommunication module1012, a graphic module1013, a User Interface (UI) module1014, a Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) module (or CODEC module)1015, acamera module1016, one ormore application modules1017, etc. It is noted that a module which is a software component may be expressed as a set of instructions. Thus, the module may be referred to as an “instruction set” or a “program”.
• The operating system program1011 (e.g., a built-in operating system such as WINDOWS, LINUX, Darwin, RTXC, UNIX, OS X, or VxWorks) includes various software components for controlling a general system operation, which includes, for example, memory management and control, storage hardware (device) control and management, power control and management, etc. The operating system software performs a function for facilitating communication between various hardware components (devices) and software components (programs).
• Thecommunication module1012 enables communication with other electronic devices such as a computer, a server, and/or a portable terminal via thewireless communication subsystems1030 and1031 or theexternal port1060.
• The graphic module1013 includes various software components for providing and displaying graphics on thetouch screen1080. The term “graphics” indicates a text, a web page, an icon, a digital image, a video, an animation, etc.
• The user interface module1014 includes various software components related to a user interface. The user interface software module includes content related to how a state of the user interface changes and in which condition the state of the user interface changes.
• TheCODEC module1015 includes software components related to encoding and decoding of a video file. The CODEC module may include a video stream module such as an MPEG module and/or an H.204 module. In addition, the CODEC module may include a CODEC module for several audio files, such as AAA, AMR, WMA, etc., and may further include an instruction set corresponding to the method of implementing the present invention.
• Thecamera module1016 includes a camera-related software component which enables camera-related processes and functions.
• Theapplication module1017 includes a browser, e-mail, instant message, word processing, keyboard emulation, an address book, a touch list, a widget, Digital Rights Management (DRM), voice recognition, voice reproduction, a location determining function, a location-based service, etc.
• In addition, various functions of the electronic device of the present invention, described above and to be described below, can be performed by using one or more stream processors and/or a hardware component including an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) and/or a software component and/or a combination thereof.
• While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to certain embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (17)

What is claimed is:

1. A method in an electronic device, the method comprising:

selecting at least two objects on a screen of the electronic device among at least three objects each having a unique color;

determining whether at least one of a color order and a rotation direction of the selected at least two objects matches a pre-set color order and a pre-set rotation direction; and

disabling a locking screen of the electronic device upon determining the match with at least one of the pre-set color order and the pre-set rotation direction.

2. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising displaying the at least three objects in a random arrangement order.

3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein selecting the at least two objects among the at least three objects comprises:

selecting at least two objects in any one of a clockwise direction and a counter-clockwise direction; and

detecting that the selected at least two objects rotate in a rotation direction at a time when each of the objects is selected.

4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein selecting the at least two objects among the at least three objects comprises repeating at least one time an operation of selecting an object having a 2^ndcolor by starting a drag trace in a state where an object having a 1^stcolor is selected among the at least three objects.

5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein selecting the at least two objects among the at least three objects comprises:

displaying at least three objects consisting of a 1^stcolor to a 3^rdcolor;

not selecting a same-colored object among the displayed objects, or selecting one time the object in any one of a clockwise direction and a counter-clockwise direction; and

detecting that each of the selected at least two objects rotates in the selected rotation direction.

6. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising randomly rearranging the at least three objects upon determining a match does not exist with the pre-set color order and the pre-set rotation direction.

7. An electronic device comprising:

a touch screen for selecting at least two objects among at least three objects each having a unique color; and

a processor for determining whether at least any one of a color order and a rotation direction of the selected at least two objects matches a pre-set color order and a pre-set rotation direction, and for disabling a locking screen upon determining the match with at least one of the pre-set color order and the pre-set rotation direction.

8. The electronic device ofclaim 7, wherein the touch screen displays the at least three objects in a random arrangement order.

9. The electronic device ofclaim 7, wherein the touch screen selects at least two objects among the at least three objects rotating in any one of a clockwise direction and a counter-clockwise direction, and the processor module detects that the selected at least two objects rotate in a rotation direction at a time when each of the objects is selected.

10. The electronic device ofclaim 7, wherein the touch screen repeats at least one time an operation of selecting an object having a 2^ndcolor by starting a drag trace in a state where an object having a 1^stcolor is selected among the at least three objects.

11. The electronic device ofclaim 7, wherein the touch screen displays at least three objects consisting of a 1^stcolor to a 3^rdcolor, and does not select a same-colored object among the displayed objects or selects one time the object rotating in any one of a clockwise direction and a counter-clockwise direction, and the processor module detects that each of the selected at least two objects rotates in the selected rotation direction.

12. The electronic device ofclaim 7, wherein the processor module randomly rearranges the at least three objects upon determining a match does not exist with the pre-set color order and the pre-set rotation direction.

13. An electronic device comprising:

a touch screen for displaying one object having a unique color in each of at least two pre-set areas; and

a processor module for determining whether at least one of a color order of at least one area selected among the pre-set areas, a rotation direction of the object, and a rotation count of the object matches a pre-set color order, a pre-set rotation direction, and a pre-set rotation count, and for disabling a locking screen upon determining the match with at least one of the pre-set color order, the pre-set rotation direction, and the pre-set rotation count.

14. The electronic device ofclaim 13, wherein the touch screen displays the at least two pre-set areas in a random color arrangement order.

15. The electronic device ofclaim 13, wherein the processor module detects that the displayed object rotates in the pre-set rotation direction upon detecting a sound of which a volume is greater than or equal to a pre-set decibel level.

16. The electronic device ofclaim 13, wherein the processor module detects at least one time that the displayed object rotates by at least one rotation count in any one of a clockwise direction and a counter-clockwise direction in a state where a touch input is made on any one of the pre-set areas.

17. The electronic device ofclaim 13, wherein the processor module randomly rearranges a color arrangement order of at least two pre-set areas constituting the object if a match does not exist with the at least one of the pre-set color order and the pre-set rotation direction is determined.

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